Detroit Casinos Sue Michigan to Stay Open During Budget Fight

DETROIT (CN) – The three casinos that operate legally in Detroit sued the State of Michigan in Circuit Court on Friday, seeking a restraining order and injunction allowing them to remain open if the state government shuts down because of a budget fight, which it did this morning.
In separate complaints, Detroit Entertainment dba Motorcity Casino, Greektown Casino and MGM Grand Detroit claimed they send a total of $1.5 million to the city and state governments every day, and it would be stupid for the state to shut them down while lawmakers bicker about money. The casinos claim they have contracts with the state to remain open 24 hours a day, and other contracts with vendors and contractors. They claim they can operate safely without the Gaming Board officials and Michigan State Police officers the state will send home because of the budget stalemate. MGM Grand Casino claims it sends the state and city $339,000 in gaming taxes every day, and does not want to lose the $1,357,000 it makes in pre-tax daily profits. The other casinos did not spell out their finances.